A meaningful house requires a signature style that reflects the values and passions most important to you.

 

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Please note: we’re in the process of transferring our entire library of show notes over from our old site. Below are our most recent episodes.

Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

Buying Art, Simplified with Liz Lidgett

I keep thinking about how often we walk into a gallery already convinced we don’t belong there and how quickly that belief starts to shape what we choose. In this week's episode, I sit down with gallery owner Liz Lidgett to talk about her new book “Art Is For Everyone”. Because collecting art isn’t about having the right words or the right budget, it’s about being willing to notice your own reactions and trust them. We talked about how your taste develops through exposure—by looking at a lot of art, by saying no without apology, and by getting curious about why something pulls you in. A good gallerist isn’t there to judge you; they’re there to help you translate those instincts into something tangible. And yes, we got into the practical side: price, scale, the mistake of buying small just because it feels safer, but what matters more is understanding that art isn’t meant to match your room, it’s meant to lead it. When you let yourself buy from that emotional place, you’re not just filling a wall, you’re creating a home that reflects you in a way nothing else really can.

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Old Bones + Modern Soul: How Jo Berryman Honors History with Bold, Irreverent Choices 

In this episode of the Designers at Home series, I take you inside the home of designer Jo Berryman, a space that, to me, perfectly embodies what it means to honor both history and personal expression. As we move through her home together, I’m struck by how effortlessly she blends old and new, preserving original architectural details while layering in sculptural, modern elements and deeply personal touches. What I love most is how grounded her approach is in nature; nothing feels overly forced or decorated for decoration’s sake. Instead, there’s this beautiful sense of rhythm, of organic shapes, of materials aging and evolving over time. It’s a reminder that our homes don’t need to be perfect or finished—they just need to feel considered, alive, and reflective of who we are.

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

Stuck in the In-Between? How to Decorate Your Way Through

Are you in the middle of a major life transition and feeling stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming? This episode is for you.

Whether you’re navigating a career change, an empty nest, a move, or just a season of life that feels uncertain, your home doesn’t have to sit on pause while you wait for things to settle. In fact, the in-between might be the perfect time to start.

In this episode we’re talking about why style evolves — and why that’s actually a good thing. You’ll hear the story of my own living room evolution (including a red couch, a blue chair, yellow walls, and what I can only describe as a kindergarten classroom) and the five hard-won design lessons that came out of it.

You’ll also learn:

  • Why you’re more creative than you think — and what creativity actually means when it comes to your home

  • How to let go of what you’ve outgrown without guilt

  • Why buying things to match is a trap, and what to do instead

  • How to think about trends so you don’t get burned

  • A simple, low-stakes exercise you can try this weekend to start training your eye

Your home can reflect who you’re becoming — even before you fully arrive. Let’s get into it.

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

The Beautiful, Incomplete Room with Shabby Chic’s Rachel Ashwell

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rachel Ashwell, and what stayed with me most wasn’t just her iconic aesthetic; it was her mindset. We talked about her move back to the English countryside, her need for the rhythm of the seasons, and how she approaches her home as something always evolving, never finished. From embracing “leftovers” and layering pieces with history, to letting go of perfection and even her own hesitation around bold choices, she reminded me that a home isn’t about getting it right, it’s about letting it reflect who you are in the moment… and giving yourself permission to keep changing.

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How Your “Comfortable” Home is Holding You Back with Vera Blouin

Interior designer Vera Blouin joins me to talk about her book, “The Reincarnated Room.” Vera sees the home as something that holds the history of who we’ve been, and through design, we can let go of those old layers and create spaces that support who we’re becoming. We explore how materials, light, and texture shape our emotional experience of a room, and why staying “comfortable” can sometimes keep us stuck instead of helping us grow. It’s a thoughtful conversation about how our homes evolve alongside us, and how design can become a tool for stepping into the next chapter of our lives. After our conversation, I slipped in some bonus content, a listener Q&A on what I do in terms of decorating between the holidays.

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A Mix of Texture Rather Than Color: How To Flow From Room To Room With Hill Rondero 

In this episode of the Designers at Home series, I had the pleasure of visiting the home of Charlotte-based interior designer Hill Rondero. I first met Hill when she moderated a design talk I gave at Slate Interiors, and I immediately knew I wanted to see her home.  It’s a great example of what a cohesive house can look like. Nothing in the space is trying to be the star; instead, everything works together. It was the conversation happening between everything: the vintage French pieces next to mid-century chrome, the tattered leathers beside rattan, the quiet discipline of a neutral palette layered with texture after texture. Hill proves that when you let materials, art, and collected objects do the talking, color almost becomes secondary. Her home feels calm but never boring, thoughtful but never precious—and along the way we talk about risk-taking in design, why texture palettes matter just as much as color palettes, and how the things you’re most afraid to try are often the very things that make a space unforgettable.

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Why Your Decor Feels Off: You’re Shopping For A Style, Not A Life

I kicked off this episode right where so many of us get stuck: drowning in throw pillows, 50 open browser tabs, and a vague sense that something is just… off. I’ve seen it all—the accidental French country phase, the “eclectic with a touch of hoarding” situation, the guilt over meaningful heirlooms that don’t quite fit. And here’s the truth bomb: The problem isn’t your taste. It’s starting from a category instead of your own story. “Life informs style” means two things: your home should support how you actually live, and it should reflect your specific, one-of-a-kind life. Not a catalog’s version of you. When you begin with what you want to feel—calm, grounded, inspired—you make clearer decisions with a lot less overwhelm. Even in tight seasons with kids, budgets, or rentals, beauty isn’t a luxury; it’s a refuge. Start with your story, and the room follows.

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Slow Style In The Wild: Christina Cruz Leans on Art, Nature and Antiques

In this episode of Think Like a Designer, I sit down with Christina Cruz to talk about what slow style really looks like in action. Her aesthetic may be more modern and pared back than mine, but it’s just as layered and soulful. We explore how she blends antiques with clean lines, incorporates meaningful travel finds, and uses natural materials to warm up contemporary spaces. From gallery walls built around collected art to a moody office-turned-bar and family-friendly kitchens that don’t sacrifice beauty, Christina proves that great design isn’t about trends—it’s about intention. Different look, same philosophy: create a home that tells your story.

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Inside Sean Leffers’ Poetic Mix of Cultures, Eras, and Story 

In this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of stepping inside the Los Angeles home of designer Sean Leffers—someone whose work I admire for its depth, sensitivity, and extraordinary sense of narrative. From the moment we walk through the door, it’s clear that Sean doesn’t decorate; he curates a life. His rooms are layered with art, antiques, travel finds, spiritual references, and handmade pieces that carry memory and lineage.

As we tour, Sean shares the stories behind Japanese metalwork born from peacetime, Brazilian and Sri Lankan furniture, colonial Peruvian carving, block-printed textiles from India, and contemporary works by artists he loves and champions. We talk about how culture travels, how objects evolve across borders, and why the blurred line between art and craft makes a home feel human.

Most of all, this episode is about connection. Each vignette becomes an invitation—to ask questions, to linger, to see more.  If you want a home that feels personal, soulful, and deeply lived in, this conversation is full of inspiration.

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The American Homeowner's Creativity Crisis (And How The Brits Avoid It)

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the idea that it’s never too late to begin again—especially when it comes to our homes. After returning from a deeply inspiring trip to London, where I was immersed in British craftsmanship and design culture, I found myself thinking about how differently we approach decorating in the UK versus the US. The British emphasis on creativity, comfort, patina, and lived-in beauty feels closely aligned with my slow style philosophy, especially when contrasted with America’s fixation on trends, perfection, and convenience. I explore how our fear of imperfection and maintenance has quietly shaped our choices, often pulling us away from natural materials, meaningful objects, and the joy of caring for what we own. To bring these ideas into practice, I invite you to step away from algorithms and quick fixes and instead create a tangible, real-life vision board for your home—one rooted in personal experience, inspiration, and the kind of life you want to live there.

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

Best Design Projects: Podcast Highlights 2025

This episode is part two of my Best of 2025 series, and it’s all about show and tell—those moments when designers walk us through a room and explain why it works. I pulled clips from conversations where we slowed down and really looked at composition, color, pattern, texture, and the quiet decisions that hold a space together. These are rooms best seen as much as heard, which is why this episode pairs especially well with YouTube. From bold, expressive spaces to calm, disciplined palettes, each designer reveals how intention, repetition, and play shape the way a room feels. It’s a reminder that beautiful interiors aren’t accidental—they’re built thoughtfully, one choice at a time.

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

Designers At Home: Holiday Tour with Heather French

I’m bringing you along with me to Santa Fe for a quiet, layered look inside the home of designer Heather French—a place that feels deeply rooted in its landscape and gently expressive of the family who lives there. Walking through her territorial-style house, especially dressed for the holidays, felt like a reminder that good design isn’t about spectacle, but about intention: rooms shaped by how they’re truly used, materials that show age and wear with grace, and traditions that build warmth over time. From fruit-laden tables and needlepoint banquettes to a kitchen designed for lingering and a living room meant for both conversation and rest, Heather’s home is a beautiful example of how style can be personal, soulful, and quietly enduring

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

Best Of Design Philosophy: Podcast Highlights From 2025

As we wrapped up the year, I found myself gathering the moments from the show that moved me the most—the conversations that nudged me to think differently about home, beauty, and the way we shape our days. Revisiting these clips felt a bit like walking back through rooms I love: Olga reminding us that tiny shifts in our spaces can spark self-worth; Danielle celebrating the joyful friction of mixing styles; Bailey inviting us into that fearless creative “zone.” Then there were the makers—Francesca stirring pigments into velvety limewash, Brea and Guy rescuing centuries-old stone, and Michal weaving stories through embroidery—each one revealing the human hands and histories behind the things we live with. Sharing these voices again felt like opening a window to everything I believe about Slow Style: that beauty is both mirror and guide, and that home is an ever-evolving conversation between who we are and who we’re becoming.

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

It’s Not a Makeover, It’s a Tune-up: A Coaching Call Where Small Changes Make a Big Impact

This week’s episode is a sweet, simple reminder of how small changes can make a home feel more like you. Laurie and I began in her kitchen, at the long window seat that greets you the moment you enter from the back door. Even with its beautiful view, it felt unfinished to her—like it wasn’t yet saying, We live here. As we talked, I encouraged her to trust the instincts she already had: using her own textiles, adding a little color, choosing organic patterns, and even hanging plants to bring some life into the space. We moved through the nearby rooms too, touching on lighting challenges and the beginnings of a gallery wall. In the end, every question circled back to the same truth: her home just needed more of her, and she already knew exactly how to make that happen.

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Aperol Spritz, A Yellow Couch, And The 3 Reasons I Wrote A Book: Behind The Scenes At The Launch Party

In this episode, I’m sharing the full talk I gave at the launch party for Slow Style Home—the one moment from that night we didn’t manage to record. I walk through the long, winding path that led me here, why the cultural noise around “dream homes” pushed me to write this book, and how serendipity, inspiration, and experimentation became the backbone of the Slow Style approach. I also take you behind the scenes of the event itself—yes, including the Little Yellow Couch, the Aperol spritz, and all the small details that tell a bigger story about creating a home that reflects who you are. If you’ve ever wondered what Slow Style really looks like in practice, this talk is the closest thing to standing in the room with me.

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From Cookie-Cutter to Culture-Rich: Fariha Nasir’s DIY Journey Home

In this episode, I talk with the wonderfully creative Fariha Nasir about how she transformed her builder-grade house into a deeply personal, heritage-rich home through bold DIY projects and meaningful design. Fariha shares how reconnecting with her Pakistani roots shifted her entire approach to style, leading her to incorporate block prints, color, pattern, and handmade details throughout her home. We walk through her favorite spaces, discuss the power of learning new skills, and explore how she creates a beautiful, intentional environment for her family. It’s an inspiring reminder that our homes can tell our stories—and that we can build them with our own hands.

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Creative Homes Come From Curiosity with Michal Silver of Christopher Farr Cloth

In this episode of the Slow Style Home Podcast, I speak with Michal Silver, Creative Director at Christopher Farr Cloth, whose work is guided by curiosity, collaboration, and a deep respect for history. Michal shares how their textiles and wallpapers grow slowly from long conversations with artists, archives, and craftspeople around the world—allowing time for ideas to unfold rather than following fast-paced production cycles. She reflects on the joy of being pushed out of her comfort zone, the role of the hand in design, and the importance of creating interiors that feel personal and lived-in rather than perfect. Ultimately, this conversation is about embracing the slow evolution of home and creativity—letting spaces grow with us, layer by layer.

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Zandra Zuraw Zandra Zuraw

Managing The Stuff We Already Have Before The Holidays Hit with Tracy McCubbin

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I talk with professional organizer Tracy McCubbin about how to approach the holidays with less clutter and more intention. Tracy shares what it’s been like helping clients rebuild after the LA fires and how loss reshapes our relationship with stuff. We discuss mindful giving, thoughtful donations, and finding joy in using what we already have. Her reminder stayed with me: your home should support you, not overwhelm you—and small, simple steps can make that possible.

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Designers at Home: Craftsman Bungalow & Antiques, 1700s to Mid-Century with Julia Chasman

If you’ve ever wondered how a designer really lives, you’ll love this week’s “Designers at Home” episode. I visited Julia Chasman in her Pasadena Craftsman, and her home is a masterclass in warmth, humor, and fearless pattern mixing. We talk about her buffalo-check chair from the Pasadena Showcase, the story behind her antique Steinway, and why a little imperfection—and a wink of whimsy—makes a room come alive.  

Julia’s space feels like Slow Style in motion: personal, soulful, and full of stories. Tune in if you need a dose of creative inspiration and want to remember why decorating your home should always bring you joy.

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How To Use Color, Pattern, and Texture to Tell Personal Stories with Vern Yip

In this final episode of the season, I get to sit down with the one and only Vern Yip—yes, that Vern Yip! You probably know him from his trailblazing days on design television, but today he joins me to talk about his beautiful new book, Color, Pattern, Texture. We dive into everything from the deeply personal story of a scroll his mother carried while fleeing communist China, to how he uses those kinds of meaningful objects as the foundation for timeless design. Vern shares why starting with what matters most to you—not trends—creates homes that are layered, enduring, and uniquely yours. We look closely at some of the spaces from his book, break down why they work, and talk about the emotional side of design: how a room can tell your story, reflect who you are, and even help you step into who you want to become.

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